Step 1: information and enquiry

Once you've read all about fostering on our website and decided it's what you want to do, email or call us on (01226) 775876 so that we can make arrangements to call you when it's convenient.

When we call, we'll talk to you about our eligibility criteria and assessment process and answer any questions you might have. 

If you meet the criteria, we can move on to the next step if you're happy to move forward with the process.

Step 2: home visit

A social worker will visit you at home to talk to you in more depth about the assessment process and how fostering will fit in with your family and lifestyle.   

Within seven days of your visit, we'll contact you to let you know if we think you're suitable to become a foster carer. If so, we'll send you an application form to complete and return to us.

Step 3: checks and initial training

At this point, we'll start to carry out police and reference checks, which we're required to do by law.  We'll also ask you to attend a medical with your GP.  If all these are clear, we'll invite you to attend our Skills to Foster preparation training which normally runs for 3 consecutive days.  Due to the current pandemic we are now running this virtual via Microsoft Teams and is 3 consecutive mornings.  If you're a couple, you'll both need to attend the training.

Once you've done the training, your assessment will begin.

Step 4: your assessment

A social worker will make several visits to your home to make an assessment of you and your family. Due to the current pandemic, some of these assessment sessions can take place virtual via Microsoft teams.  We will visit or telephone your referees. When your assessment is complete, the social worker will write a report, which will be discussed at our Fostering Panel - a team of people who have a personal or professional connection with fostering. 

They will make a recommendation about whether you should be approved as a foster carer and the final decision will be made by the agency decision-maker. Your assessing social worker will let you know the outcome and the panel will write to you to let you know their decision.

If the fostering panel doesn't approve you as a foster carer, you can appeal against the decision. You can write to the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering), PO Box 634, Barnsley S70 9GG and ask for your assessment to be re-represented to fostering panel for further consideration, make a complaint, or seek an appeal through the Independent Review Mechanism.